Remembering Tupac: 5 Love Lessons Learned Through His Music

It’s been 21 years since we’ve lost arguably one of Hip-Hop’s most influential talents. Tupac Amaru Shakur was more than a rapper. He was a revolutionary.

The rapper, entertainer, actor, activist and poet did not allow himself to be defined by limits. That’s why to this day, his artistry is both emulated and used as inspiration.

This past June, Tupac would’ve celebrated his 46th birthday, and in honor of his legacy past, present and future, here are five love lessons learned from his music.

1) That we must have compassion for our fellow man. “Brenda’s Got A Baby”

Often, we can become too wrapped up in tending to our own lawns to recognize when our neighbor’s weeds are the reason why we have a few. This classic joint reminds us all of how important it is to “love thy neighbor” and operate as a community.

I hear Brenda’s got a babyBut, Brenda’s barely got a brainA damn shame, the girl can hardly spell her name(That’s not our problem, that’s up to Brenda’s family)Well let me show ya how it affects the whole communityNow Brenda really never knew her moms and her dad was aJunky, went in death to his arms, it’s sad ’cause I betBrenda doesn’t even know

Just ’cause you’re in the ghetto doesn’t mean you can’t grow (you can’t grow)But oh, that’s a thought, my own revelationDo whatever it takes to resist the temptationBrenda got herself a boyfriendHer boyfriend was her cousin, now let’s watch the joy endShe tried to hide her pregnancy, from her familyWho didn’t really care to see, or give a damn if sheWent out and had a church of kidsAs long as when the check came they got first dibs

2) That sometimes love changes. “Do For Love”

Usually, the first few months of a relationship are blissful. But sometimes, you know that you shouldn’t be with a certain someone, no matter how dope things may be. “Do For Love” tells the tale of love gone sour and details a person’s inner battle and attempt to break free.

I shoulda seen you was trouble right from the startTaught me so many lessonsHow not to mess with broken hearts, so many questionsWhen this began we was the perfect match, perhapsWe had some problems but we workin at it, and now

The arguments are gettin’ loud, I wanna stayBut I can’t help from walkin’ out just a little wayJust take my hand and understand, if you could seeI never planned to be a man it just wasn’t meBut now I’m searchin’ for commitment, in other armsI wanna shelter you from harm, don’t be alarmedYour attitude was the cause, you got me stressin’Soon as I open up the door with your jealous questions

Like where can I be you’re killin’ me with your jealousyNow my ambition’s to be freeI can’t breathe, cause soon as I leave, it’s like a trapI hear you callin’ me to come back, I’m a sucka for love

3) To know when the love isn’t there. “Who Do You Love?”

Tupac rapped about the gangsta life, but he did so from the introspective lens of how the players in the streets each perceived the world they lived in. You can feel love when it’s there and you can feel love when it’s absent. The heart is very intuitive and “Who Do You Love?” reminds us that sometimes, guarding it is the best remedy against pain.

Everybody is talking ’bout they know meBut they ain’t down like my motherf*cking homiesTell me what you need when you see meAnd we can get it on, b*atch, take it easy

Don’t try to hold me, control meBut you can take my number, baby, call me when you lonely‘Cause it’s a mans world, ain’t no need to ask whyI’m high till I die and strapped with my 4-5

4) That foreplay is essential. “How Do U Want It?”

Seduction starts way before you hit the sheets. Tupac’s “How do U Want It?” lays out the foundation for it to take place before you say, “Hello.”

Love the way you activate your hips and push your ass out Got a n**ga wantin’ it so bad I’m ’bout to pass out Wanna dig you, and I can’t even lie about it Baby just alleviate your clothes, time to fly up out it Catch you at a club, oh sh*t you got me fiendin’ Body talkin’ sh*t to me but I can’t comprehend the meaning

Now if you wanna roll with me, then here’s your chance Doin eighty on the freeway, police catch me if you can Forgive me I’m a rider, still I’m just a simple man All I want is money, f*ck the fame I’m a simple man Mr. International, playa with the passport Just like Aladdin b*tch, get you anything you ask for

It’s either him or me, champagne, Hennessy A favorite of my homies when we floss, on our enemies Witness as we creep to a low speed, peep what a h*e need Puff some mo’ weed, funk, ya don’t need Approachin’ hoochies with a passion, been a long day But I’ve been driven by attraction in a strong way Your body is bangin’ baby I love it when you flaunt it Time to give it to daddy n*gga now tell me how you want it (Tell me how you want it)

Warning: Video contains explicit language, content.

5) That deep down inside, we all wish for someone to love us limitlessly. “Unconditional Love”

While people are quick to say that true love is unconditional, life teaches us that love does have its limits to a degree. If someone mistreats us, we will usually end the relationship as it is toxic. That goes for any type of connection. While we may still love them, we won’t love them the same. But in Tupac’s track, “Unconditional Love,” the rapper appears to accept those closest to him for who they are, only to request the same in return.

I’ll probably never understand ya waysWith everyday I swear I hear yaTrying to change your ways while gettin’ paid at the same timeJust had a baby with the same eyesSomething inside, please let me die these are strange times

How come I never made itMaybe it’s the way they played it in my heartI knew one day I gotta be a starMy hopes and all my wishesSo many vivid pictures, and all the currencyI’ll never even get to see

This fast life soon shattersCause after all the lights and screamsNothing but my dreams matterHoping for better daysMaybe a peaceful night, baby don’t cryCause everything gonna be alrightJust lay your head on my shoulderDon’t worry bout a thing babyGirl I’m a soldier (huh)Never treated me bad, no matter who I wasYou still came with that, unconditional love

Tupac Shakur’s music, his poetry and his onscreen presence has solidified him as a legend in entertainment history. And we will undoubtedly enjoy his work for years to come.

Shantell E. Jamison is EBONY’s senior editor of love and relationships. Her book, “Drive Yourself in the Right Direction” is available on Amazon. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter @Shantell_em and Instagram @Shantell_em.

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